Runner attachment for wheels



Mar. 27, 1923;

n. 'c. DUCA TT. RUNNER ATTACHMENT FOR WHEELS.

l anoawtoz Dennis azzmz DENNIS C. DUCATT, OFSARANAC LAKE,

NEV] YORK, ASSIGNOR OF. ONE-HALF TO HEDWIG WASTIAN, 0F SAEANAC LAKE, NEW YORK.

RUNNER ATTACHMENT FOB \VHEELS.

Application filed November 17, 1921. Serial No. 515,882.

T 0 all to 7mm it may concern Be it known that I, DENNIS C. Dooa'r'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Saranac Lake, in the county of i ranklin and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Runner Attachments for \Vheels; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invent-ion relates to an improved sled or runner which is especially, but not necessarily, designed for attachment to the wheel of a wheelbarrow.

The principal object of the invention is to generally improve upon devices of this class by providing one of extreme simplicity and durability which is capable of being at tached to various types and diameters of wheels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a runner attachment for wheels which embodies wheel-engaging abutments which are provided with novel clamping means for co-action with the wheel felly, together with other means associated with the clamp for securely holding the attachment on the wheel, yet permitting it to be easily and readily removed when necessary or desired.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a portion of a wheel equipped with runner constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the runner disconnected from the wheel.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Figure d is a perspective view of one of the wheel clamps showing the parts thereof disconnected.

Before proceeding with the detailed description of the invention, 1 wish to set forth the fact that although I have shown the improved runner as being attached to the wheel of a wheelbarrow, I do not, of course, intend to be limited to this particular use because by slightly varying the shape of parts, the device can be adapted for attachment to any other kind of a wheel.

Proceeding with the detailed descriptio n it will be seen that the numeral 1 designates a shaped runner which is provided at spaced intervals and near its ends with wheel-engaging abutments 2 and 3 respectively. Although these ab-utments may be constructed otherwise, it will be seen that each one is formed from a metal strap which is shaped to conform to the rim of the wheel. It is to be noted that the abutment 3 is movable while the remaining one is stationary. In connecting this movable abutment with the runner, I simply provide the latter with a track a and equip the last named abutment with a suitably constructed slide 5 which is engaged with the track.

The abutments are each formed with guides 6 and 7 which serve a purpose to be hereinafter set forth. It may be conveniently pointed out here that the guide 7 which is carried by the movable abutment 3 has its free ends turned inwardly toward each other and engaged with the aforesaid track a for increasing the rigidity of the device, preventing undue movement of this abutment, and limiting the sliding movement by engaging the bent end P of the track.

As previously indicated, one of the very novel features of the invention consists in the employment of specially constructed clamps together with the novel means associated therewith for holding the attachment on the wheel. Although'these clamps could be constructed otherwise, each one comprises a pair of elongated plates 8 which are' arranged in overlapping and slidable relation and extend through the openings in the aforesaid guides 6 and 7. Each plate. is formed at its outer end with, spaced upstanding ears 9 which constitute jaws and which bear against the sides of. the wheel felly. Special attention is directed to the fact that the inner contacting faces of the plates are corrugated as indicated at 10V to prevent accidental slippage of the plates after they are once adjusted. It is also to be noted that one end of each plate is extended beyondthe ears and this extended end is formed with an opening 11 through which one of the bolts 12 extends. At its opposite end, each plate is formed with an elongated slot 13 for passage of one of said bolts. By this arrangement, it will be seen that the jaws which engage the sides of the wheel felly are capable of being adjusted closer to or further from one another to enable them to be engaged with wheels of various widths. Having mentioned the bolts 12, it will be well to state that these are connected with and serve to bind the plates 1stagainst the inner periphery of the wheel felly for retaining the device in position on the wheel. The plates 14L are like the plates 8 formed at one end with a small opening and at their opposite ends with slots to permit the aforesaid bolts to be connected with them. By closely examining the clamps under consideration, it will be seen that when the parts thereof are assembled, the elongated slot at one end registers with a small opening 11 through which one bolt passes and the same is true at the opposite end of the plate. Also, the end of one of the plates is confined between the spaced ears 9 and this is advantageous in that it prevents undue relative movement of the plates at one end when the bolt at the same end is removed. I have found in practice that the bolt at the opposite end of the plate can be left in position to hold the parts together to enable the device to be readily attached to the wheel. It is therefore advantageous in having the opposite end of one of the plates confined between the aws at the adjacent end ofthe other plate to assist in easily attaching the device to the wheel.

In use, the curved portion of the abutment 2 is brought against the wheel rim as shown in the drawing, and the remaining abutment is slid along the track and brought into engagement with the wheel rim. Then, the aws of the clamping plates 8 are moved toward each other and tightly engaged with the sides of the wheel felly. Such movement of the plate is permitted by simply loosening the nuts on the free ends of the aforesaid bolts 12. It is, of course, necessary to detach two of the bolts from the plates 14 to enable the latter to be swung over and engaged with the inner periphery of the felly. After replacing these bolts and tightening the nuts thereon, the device will be fastened securely on the wheel. Consequently, the barrow can be conveniently moved over a snow or ice-covered surface. The binding action on the clamping plates brought about by tightening the nuts on the bolts to render the plates 1 L effective, serves to clamp the plates 8 together and the corrus ations on the inner sides of the latter prevent them from moving after properly adjusted.

By carefully considering the description in connection with the drawings, persons familiar with devices of this class will doubtless be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention. Therefore, a more lengthy and detailed description is deemed unnecessary.

Since probably the best results may be obtained with the construction and arrangement herein shown and described, this is taken as the preferred embodiment of the invention. However, I wish it to be understood that minor changes coming within the scope of the invention as claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. An attachment of the class described comprising a runner, and wheel engaging means carried by said runner; said wheel engaging means including a. pair of abutments mounted on said runner, a pair of overlapping plates carried by each of said abutments and longitudinally adjustable with relation to each other, means carrie by each of said plates adapted to bear against the wheel folly, and means also carried by said plates for locking same both to the wheel felly and to each other.

2. An attachment of the class described comprising a runner, a pair of wheel-engaging abutments carried thereby, said abutments being formed with guides, a pair of plates arranged in sliding overlapping relation and extending through each of said guides, each plate being formed adjacent its outer end with upturned ears constituting jaws to bear against the wheel felly, other plates extending transversely across the inner periphery of the wheel felly, and adj ustable connecting means between said last named plates and first named clamping plates for holding the latter in frictional engagement with one another and retaining the entire device on the wheel.

An attachment for wheels comprising a runner, wheel-engaging abutments carried therebv. guides carried by said abutments, plates arranged in overlapping relation and extending through and beyond said guides, the extended part of said plates being formed with upturned ears constituting jaws to engage the opposite sides of the wheel felly, said plates being formed with registering slots and openings to permit limited sliding movement, said plates being also provided on their inner faces with anti slipping means, other plates extending transversely across the inner periphery of the wheel felly, said other plates being also formed with slots and openings, and retaining bolts passing through the registered slots and openings of all of said plates.

4:. An attachment of the class described comprising a runner and wheel engaging means carried by said runner; said wheel engaging means including a pair of ahutinents adapted to bear against the Wheel felly, and mounted on said runner, a pan of longitudiother means carried by said plates 1'01 locknally adjustable overlapping plates mounted ing same both to each other and to the 10 on each of said abutments and having cor- Wheel felly.

rugations provided on their contacting faces In testimony whereof I have hereunto set to prevent slippage When in adjusted relamy hand. i

tion, means carried by each of said plates DENNIS C. DUCATT. 

